PFAS persist in the environment for a long time and are transported over long distances. They have even been detected in remote regions – such as the polar regions. There, they can accumulate along the food chains and cause toxic effects in organisms. As a result, they pose a risk to the sensitive ecosystems of the polar regions.
The conference “PFAS in soil – forever pollution, forever concern?” focused on soil pollution caused by PFAS. Some 150 participants from science, public institutions, industry and environmental organisations attended the conference and 200 more joined via live stream to discuss the risks, in particular for human health. More international cooperation is needed to tackle this problem effectively.
All affected stakeholders (associations and companies) as well as manufactures of alternatives are invited to complete the questionnaire for a restriction proposal on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) before October 17 2021. The restriction shall cover the manufacture, placing on the market and use of all PFASs in the EU.
The national authorities of Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark agreed to prepare a REACH restriction proposal with the aim to restrict the manufacture, the placing on the market and the use of all per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the EU. Companies, scientists and NGOs are invited to fill in the questionnaire, before 31 July 2020, to generate further information.
From 2014 to 2017, the German Environment Agency investigated the exposure of children and adolescent exposure to environmental influences in Germany. Families were selected to participate in the survey according to certain statistical criteria. They providedimportant insights into the health of today’s young generation – including a health check of the environmental impact on their children.
Pollutants are omnipresent in soils. They originate from industry, agriculture, traffic and private households, for example, but also from natural sources. If pollutants accumulate in the soil, they can pose a risk to humans and the environment.
